Duane Edgar Dewey

Corporal Duane Edgar Dewey, a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on April 16, 1952 near Panmunjom, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with 3d Squad, Weapons Platoon, Company E, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein). Dewey was 20 years old.

The medal was presented on March 12, 1953 — the White House (Oval Office), presented by Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Dewey was born on November 16, 1931 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan. His Medal of Honor is credited to Muskegon, Muskegon County, Michigan. Dewey died on October 11, 2021 in Saint Augustine, Florida, at the age of 89. He is buried at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

Dewey is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 112 credited to Michigan.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a gunner in a machine-gun platoon of Company E, in action against enemy aggressor forces. When an enemy grenade landed close to his position while he and his assistant gunner were receiving medical attention for their wounds during a fierce night attack by numerically superior hostile forces, Cpl. Dewey, although suffering intense pain, immediately pulled the corpsman to the ground and, shouting a warning to the other marines around him, bravely smothered the deadly missile with his body, personally absorbing the full force of the explosion to save his comrades from possible injury or death. His indomitable courage, outstanding initiative, and valiant efforts in behalf of others in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon Cpl. Dewey and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, Duane Edgar Dewey received:

Purple Heart

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Korean War.

Places

Born: Grand Rapids — map
Died: St. Augustine — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Michigan →

Timeline

November 16, 1931
Born in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan
April 16, 1952
Act of valor — near Panmunjom, Korea
Age 20. 3d Squad, Weapons Platoon, Company E, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein)
March 12, 1953
Medal of Honor presented
The White House (Oval Office), presented by Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower
October 11, 2021
Died in Saint Augustine, Florida
Age 89.
Resting place
Florida National Cemetery
Bushnell, Florida

Biography

Duane Edgar Dewey (November 16, 1931 – October 11, 2021) was an American combat Marine. He received the United States military's highest decoration for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions on April 16, 1952, during the Korean War. Although wounded by an enemy grenade, he smothered another exploding grenade with his own body to save the life of a corpsman and the other Marines around him.

From the Wikipedia article “Duane E. Dewey”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

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More Korean War recipients from Michigan

William Richard Charette Hospital Corpsman Third Class · Navy Korean War · 1953

Robert Ernest Simanek Private First Class · Marine Corps Korean War · 1952 DM Donald Raymond Moyer Sergeant First Class · Army Korean War · 1951 ✦

Sherrod Emerson Skinner Jr. Second Lieutenant · Marine Corps Korean War · 1952 ✦ JE John Essebagger Jr. Corporal · Army Korean War · 1951 ✦

Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.